The Twin Swords

Part 3

see disclaimer in Part 1

It was quite frankly a peaceful, boring, ordinary day, Kari observed as she headed down the path from Cascade Cottage to Topple Village. There were only a few minor beasts--rabites, predictably--in her way as she went, but she kept her staff out and ready just in case.

Feeling lethargic, Kari decided she'd warm herself up by taking the rest of the trek at a sprint. She stretched briefly, crouched, and sprang forward, feeling the springlike muscles in her thighs and calves coil and stretch as she sped forward. The grassy natural path was well-kept, and so she had no trouble skimming over the shorter turf and relatively flat terrain on her way to the town.

A few rabites looked up as she passed, and she gave them no more than a glance--she'd always thought them cute; white or yellow balls of fur with floppy ears and little pink puffball tails. She breathed deeply of the sweet morning air as she ran, slowing as she passed the town gates.

Waving greetings to a few townspeople as she went, she headed into the inn, pulled up a chair, and sat down by one of her village friends, a pink-haired young girl called Meimi.

"So what's up?" she asked, stretching a little more.

Meimi gave her a dark look. "Oh, a lot's up," she replied wryly. "Haven't you heard? The road to Wendel has been sealed!"

Wendel was a coastal town, and could be reached over a multiple-day trek through a couple of caves and past the old Vinquette Hall, a manor with gates that only opened at night. It was a hub of commerce as well as the center of the resistance movement against Dark Lord and his followers.

"Why?" Kari asked baldly. "Isn't that kind of strange, all of a sudden? Are the Heretic Hunters behind it?"

Meimi shook her head. "No... there are rumors that the master of the Vinquette Hall did it. So people are starting to wonder... Say, Kari, do you remember around nine or ten years ago, when you and your uncle Bogard came to live in the old cottage, how out of nowhere all these Mana-believing young women started to go missing? People are starting to talk about that again, and there's speculation that..." The village girl looked around stealthily, as if someone could've been listening in. "That the count at the Hall is actually one of the underworld Mavoles!"

Kari rolled her eyes. "Come on, Meimi. I'm sure that the count who lives there is a perfectly nice man. Don't go being paranoid about someone just because they're a little reclusive. I think I heard somewhere that he's been that way since his wife died a long time ago."

Meimi gave her old friend a sidelong look. "Bara Kari, you are far too willing to believe in people's innocence when there's no proof of it."

Kari shrugged. "Well, giving people you don't know the benefit of the doubt is better than suspecting the slightest word anyone says." She stood up and cracked her shoulder, using her hand to help rotate it in its socket. "Anyhow, I'm going to be leaving on a short trip soon, and I may not be back for a few weeks, maybe a few months. I need to go wish everybody goodbye and good luck while I'm off." So saying, she headed out of the room. "So, I'll be seeing you sometime later."

Once out of the inn, Kari bumped into one of the village boys, who seemed to be in a definitive fret. "Um... hey, lady..."

She knelt down to get on eye level with him. "Yes? Is there something you need?"

The boy fidgeted a little--a painful reminder of Willy and her old childhood friends. "I, uh, I lost a real important book in the meadow south of here, in the tall grass. Couldja, like, go get it for me, and stuff?"

Kari grinned. "Sure, I'd be glad to." She stood. "I won't be gone long." She dashed towards the south exit to the village, trying not to think that this would probably be the last time she saw all her friends here for a while.

---

Somewhere in the depths of Granz Castle's dungeons, a young man with shaggy blonde hair yelped and jumped up from where he'd been sleeping on his ragged straw pallet.

"KYAAAAAAAAAA!"

The young man on the pallet next to him, dressed in similar clothing--green instead of red--also hopped up with a cry of surprise.

He threw his companion a dirty look from where he sat. "What's up with you, shoutin' like a banshee! For once I was havin' a pretty sweet dream... until you interrupted!"

The teen in the ragged red tunic didn't reply. His counterpart stared at him strangely, then got up and walked over to him, unusual cheer in his laughing hazel eyes. "Hey, Reikku, what kinda dream were you havin'? Want me to tell ya what it means?"

Reikku shrugged. "Why not?"

"Were ya eatin' a rabite? Or maybe a mushboom? I hear they're a lot tastier than ya might think!"

Reikku looked at the ground, turmoil in his bluish eyes. "A girl..."

His dirty-blonde friend scratched his head. "A chick?" He then made a very comical double take. "...Whoa! The same one as before?"

Reikku grimaced and nodded. "I couldn't protect her... only I was left... she... after that, she..."

The boy in green sat down and crossed his legs, tugging at the ties of his vest with a sigh. "Aw, get real, willya? It wasn't your fault. Times are tough. A kid like you couldn't've protected her. What couldja've done?"

Reikku seemed lost in his own world, murmuring to himself. "Her name was... it was Kari..."

The green-clad boy's hazel eyes widened. "Kari! Did you say Kari!" He shook his head, calming himself. "Nah, nah, can't be. Reikku, after we're outta here, ya can tell me the whole story. In detail! For now... just hold that thought." He stood, dug in a pocket, and held something out to his friend.

Reikku stared. "! Hey, is that bread...?"

The dirty-blonde nodded with a smug smirk. "Hah! I got extra. And it's primo stuff!" As Reikku reached forward to split the spoils, he continued, his eyes suddenly soft. "That chick... I hope she's alive... I mean, I'm sure she's alive. No doubt about it." Reikku carefully studied the ground, and his friend glared at him, smacking him on the head firmly. "Awright, eat up! We're still alive, too! Ya wanna see that Kari chick again, right? I'm gettin' pretty interested in her, too!"

Finally, one of the other two young adults in the small cell took notice of the conversation, a brown-haired, brown-eyed slave man in ragged brown and red clothes. " 'See that chick again'? You're not still thinkin' about escapin', are ya?"

The green-clad boy made a face. "Hmph! I'm serious this time. One of the soldiers told me."

The slave spat on the cold stone floor. "Your last escape plan was a disaster!"

Reikku, however, took interest in his friend's words. "Another escape plan?"

His friend clapped his hands together. "Ooooh, yeah! Seems there's a way out through the monsters' holding cell."

Reikku sighed and sat down. "He's pullin' your leg."

The slave rolled his eyes. "Last time, they even punished US with no food for a week!"

The dirty-blonde looked very offended. "The guy's legit, I swear!"

Reikku gave his friend a skeptical look. "Ya believe the guy cause he gave ya bread?"

"No, it's not that. His song..."

Reikku blinked. "Song?"

"Yeah... he sang this sad song."

Reikku stared at the ground. "Lord Granz's songs were pretty sad, too."

The energetic dirty-blonde punched a fist in the air, enlightenment scrawled across his face. "That's it! Lord Granz turned into a soldier to help us!"

Just like him, Reikku mused. "Pffft! You wish!"

The young man spread his arms wide. "Trust me! The Goddess loves me!"

Reikku turned away bitterly. "The Goddess, eh?"

The slave rolled his eyes again. "Don't listen to Windbag Willy. Beat monsters, show the crowd the "beauty of agony and pain", and go on living. Even if ya could escape, it's hell outside..."

The blonde, curly-haired girl on the far side of the room shot the boys a scathing look. She was clad in an orchid-colored, slinky dress with orange trimming. Her hair was bound by a cap of fabric the same color, with a large, bright red flower tucked into it. "You guys are planning to break out again? Don't make me laugh." She went back to examining her nails.

"Amanda..." Reikku said with a sigh. "Don't you ever dream about getting out of here?"

"Yes, but when I do, it won't be in some harebrained attempt like all of yours." She went back to pointedly ignoring him.

Suddenly, the slave boy looked up and past the grated door of their cell. "It's almost time!"

---

At the gladiator pit where all the bloodthirsty spectators had gathered, a soldier finally emerged into the top box of the entertainment. The crowds hushed, ready to hear his words.

"The Realm Monster Bouts are about to begin," the soldier told them. "But first, a word from our leader. Welcome, Dark Lord." He stepped aside, bowing out of the makeshift pulpit to allow the young man to enter.

Since the takeover ten years ago, he didn't seem to have aged much, or changed visibly at all. Still clad all in black, he swept into view, flashing the red undersides of his doubled cape and trenchcoat as he crossed his arms. His waist-length, gray-shaded teal hair was as wild as ever, and a slight breeze stirred it around his form, giving drama to his already striking image. What could be seen of his face was set calmly as he surveyed his people. As he spoke, the stadium became dead silent.

"Beloved citizens! Your daily struggles are appreciated. Heretics still prowl outside the towns, but have no fear!"

There were a few murmurs throughout the crowd. "Is he talking about the Mana Clan? If that's what they are, let's get them! After all, they control Mana power, right? Pretending to be weak, they're just like the Emperor Vandole."

Dark Lord waited for the whispering to subside before speaking again. "We advance ever onward to victory--a victory led by our own strength. Are we not more powerful than those who rely on that goddess' strength? Without any effort, not breaking a sweat, wanting only glory for themselves. Will people such as these be victorious!"

There was a long silence before he spoke again. This time the darkly enchanting voice was soothing, encouraging. "What we need is not Mana power. The Emperor Vandole was manipulated by Mana power and was destroyed. Let us not make the same mistake. We must be of strong mind and heart!"

There was a little supportive cheering from the crowd--especially from a few of the young women present. Dark Lord allowed himself a small smile at the irony of their innocence, those who came to see blood spilled.

"Tales of the Gemma Knights from the Dark Age of the Empire are old news now. Do not rely on legends! We must shape our fate by our own hands. We shall not lose! The victory is ours for the taking!"

The crowd erupted with the inspiration and encouragement he offered them. As their roaring cheers swelled and reached a peak, Dark Lord stretched his arms to the sky, letting the exultation of his followers buoy him up.

For a moment, he believed his own words and forgot his tortured dreams.

---

Back in the cell, Willy headed to the gate, listening to the enthusiastic cheering. "They're sure fired up," he grumped.

A soldier came up to the gate and lifted it. "Willy, Reikku! You're up!"

Willy grinned. "It's a 'bout' time!" He and Reikku headed over to the open door; Amanda gave them a thumbs-up as they passed. Reikku realized that the soldier before them had no helm, and instead displayed a face with nightlike eyes, weathered skin, and tangled, curly black hair.

"Thanks for the bread," Willy told the stranger.

The soldier smiled. "So are you going through with it?"

Willy smirked. "You bet! Let's do it, Reikku!"

Reikku nodded, letting himself absorb his friend's cocky readiness. "Right!" The two of them followed the soldier into the ring, just as the announcer cried "Now FIGHT!"

The monster released was a typical jackal-lion hybrid, probably bred to kill in the gladiatorial ring. With a few sword swipes, Reikku easily dispatched it.

The announcer's voice cut through the cheers. "Here are your winners... Willy and Reikku!"

"Now's the time!" Willy hissed into Reikku's ear. "Play it cool and smile at the crowd!"

"Gotcha!" Reikku replied with a wink.

"Long live Dark Lord!" Willy shouted to the crowd. To Reikku he commented, "Under a very big rock..." The two of them stifled laughter as the spectators roared back his words.

"Long live Granz Realm!" Reikku cried. To Willy he said dryly, "Under new management."

Laughing, they headed through the monsters' chamber and to freedom.

---

Finally on the bridge, the two young men burst out laughing with the pure adrenaline rush of their mad dash through the castle.

"We did it!" Willy gasped. "We're really gonna get outta here! Mana Goddess and Granz, hats off to ya!" He jumped forward. "Reikku, we are FREE! We can go anywhere! We can do anything! We can eat till we hurl! Reikku, whaddaya wanna do?"

Reikku stared at the stone beneath his feet. "I want to... get Dark Lord..."

Willy gave Reikku a look that said he doubted his friend's sanity. "Oooooookay... no comment here. By the way, Reikku... about that chick Kari... I know that name too."

That got Reikku off the topic of revenge. "You do?"

Willy nodded. "Yeah... but I'm not sure whether the Kari you're talking about is the same Kari I used to know or not. No use gettin' all serious here! Okay, yeah... that's it, let's go to Topple!" He clapped his friend on the shoulder. "They have lots of Mana believers. We can talk there."

Reikku nodded. "Okay. So we're off to Topple!"

Quite suddenly, both boys heard a voice that made them spin. "You made it this far. Not bad."

Willy's eyes got huge as he saw the masked man behind them. "! Wha-! Dark Lord! Uh! We, um... just wanted some fresh air!" He took an exaggeratedly deep breath. "Out with the bad air, in with the good. Ahhh, that'll do me. Whaddaya say we head back? When's the next bout?"

Reikku, on the other hand, glared at his adversary with the utmost hatred, grabbing his sword's hilt. "Dark Lord!"

"Good fighting skills, smart enough to escape," the teal-haired man commented mildly. "Too bad you're slaves. How about it, you two? Why not work for me? We're short on Heretic Hunters."

Willy looked up at the clouds. "Well, I, um..."

A cold smile curved the ruler's lips slightly. "What's the matter, boy? Jackal got your tongue?"

Reikku finally spoke, trembling with sheer hate. "Work for you? You murdered... my father and mother... and Kari, too..."

Dark Lord rested one red-gloved hand on his right hip, seeming almost idly to ready his sword in case it needed to be drawn. "Murdered? What do you mean? The law is the law. Even the laws I made are out of my hands--they've been set in to motion. There's no point in bitching to me."

Willy anxiously looked over at Reikku. "H-hey, Reikku!" he hissed. "Play along!"

"Do what you want, Willy," Reikku snapped. "Go be a Realm soldier. But count me out!"

Dark Lord smiled tauntingly. "The lawless prefer the sword to the law. I can play it that way, too. Come on!"

Reikku's sword flashed out as he shouted his warning. "This is for my parents! Say your prayers!"

He charged forward recklessly, barely registering the fact that Dark Lord had not even changed his position one bit. As the sword came down, he boredly reached out, grabbed the naked blade, and twisted it, tossing Reikku off his feet without showing any exertion at all.

"H-he stopped the sword with one hand!" Willy yelped.

"What the--!" Reikku cried. "What ARE you!"

"Pride comes before a fall, foolish fencer!" Dark Lord snapped. The golden blade was out in a lightning flash, hitting the young gladiator hard and sending him flying off the bridge.

In a panic, Willy raced to the edge of the bridge. "Reikku! Reikku!" Turning his face to the sky, he cried out wildly. "Mana Goddess, save Reikku! Break his fall!"

---

A fat, merchantile rabbit half-beast fishing by the river discovered that something was pulling the line of his rod out very quickly. "Hoo-hoo! I've got one! And it's a biggie! It'll be a feast tonight!" Tugging his hardest, he managed to reel not a fish, but an unconscious young man from the water.

He stared down at the stranger, baffled. "...Not remotely fishy... not even edible..." He put one gloved hand to his chin and scratched it. "Hmmmmm. As I recall... Grandpappy always told me that being a good Samaritan is good for business." So saying, he proceeded to kick the boy awake.

Reikku groaned and opened his eyes, sitting up and looking around. "Ouch! ...Where am I?" He shook his head, remembering. "Oh, yeah. I got knocked off the bridge by Dark Lord. Blast it all! And what happened to Willy?" He stood up and looked at the fat rabbit. "Were you the one who rescued me? My name's Reikku. Thanks for saving me. I really appreciate it."

"...That's right!" the rabbit shouted. "I saved your life! I'm Niccolo, the traveling merchant."

"Where the heck is this?" Reikku wondered aloud. He'd never really been in such a natural setting for a good ten years.

"Truth is, I just got here myself," Niccolo confessed. "If you ask me where we are, all I can say is... we're here!"

Reikku blinked. "I'm trying to get to Topple Village. Do you know it?"

Niccolo nodded. "I've heard of it."

"Really!" Reikku yelped happily. "Which way is it?"

Niccolo shrugged. "Beats me. I told you, I just got here. Pay attention, willya?" He looked around. "Well, I'm going home! Don't worry--I'll make sure you pay me back sometime!" He ran off, leaving Reikku to look around the little clearing hopelessly.

---

Just as the sun started to set, Kari reached a small patch of tall grass on the outskirts of Topple.

She looked around, trying to see if she could spot the book easily. "This must be the place..." She headed into the grass, bending down to look around until she heard footsteps in the snarled brush. Quickly, she stood, turning to face the one behind her.

It was a hauntingly familiar man, a little shorter than her, with shockingly auburn hair, darkly secretive emerald eyes, a feminine countenance, and heavy robes.

Her eyes widened in recognition. "You... you're the one!"

He quirked an eyebrow, then nodded, staring up an inch or so into her violet eyes. "I see... now I remember... I didn't think there were any Mana Clan members left..." He bowed to her ironically, letting his heavy bangs fall into his pale face. "A fortuitous meeting indeed."

The world seemed to tilt crazily about Kari. "Nobody left... you don't mean...? Mother, Kaseem, and Willy... everyone... you killed them all? You murdered EVERYONE!"

To Kari's irritation, the stranger just looked amused. "Me? Actually, Realm soldiers did that, and Dark Lord gave the order. Surely you've heard of it by now."

Kari spread her hands wide, trying to balance rage and sorrow. "It's the same thing either way! You ALL did it! You destroyed a peaceful village!"

Something in those emerald-black eyes flashed, and then the man was smiling slightly, the expression coldly beautiful on his delicate features. "That's funny. Was the village's fall really our fault? Isn't it because the Goddess abandoned you?" He turned away from her, letting a breeze blow his thick mane of hair and heavy cape around him. "Well, then... do you think she'll come save you today?"

Out of nowhere, a male voice broke the tension. "Sir Julius! Can you hear me? Dark Lord beckons you. Please return immediately!"

The mage Julius turned towards the source of the voice, something strange--like a waking or awareness--coming into his widening eyes. "Dark Lord...?" he breathed. He turned back to Kari with an expression of annoyance, then stepped aside and snapped delicate white fingers, calling a squirrellike monster called a Chobin Hood.

Kari shrieked in surprise. "You--you even have control over monsters?"

Julius turned to her with a strangely gentle smile. "We shall meet again if the fates allow, heretic girl..." With those last words, he vanished in a burst of light.

"Look out!" came another male voice, and suddenly a blonde, red-clad boy with a sword was beside her. In swift motions, they knocked out the monster, carving it up efficiently.

"Are you alright?" the boy asked, his eyes open and honest.

A bloody sword... is he a Realm soldier...?

"Are you hurt?"

Kari shifted her grip on her staff, sizing the young man up. "Oh, I'm fine... Thank you very much. I'll be on my way now..."

The boy shook his head. "It's too dangerous for you to go by yourself. I can take you where you need to go."

Kari glared at him, beginning to get his idea of women. "No, really, I'm okay! I can get back home on my own!"

"But what if you get ambushed by a monster again?"

The image of Julius came to Kari's mind unbidden, and she grimaced. "You, you're from... Granz Realm, aren't you?"

Now it was the strange young man's turn to get annoyed. "Do I LOOK like I'm from Granz Realm!" A strange sound, like a burst of energy, interrupted them, and both of them drew their weapons. "What! What was that noise...?"

Kari sighed, admitting defeat. "Oh, all right. If you could take me to Topple..."

The boy's face brightened. "Topple? Great! I was just looking for it myself. We can go together!"

"Okay," she said, half-sighing again. "Topple Village is northeast of here."

The boy extended a hand. "My name's Reikku. What's yours?"

REIKKU! The same name as...? No, that can't be...

"I'm Kari. Nice to meet you."

Just as they were about to leave, Kari suddenly remembered the little boy's book. "Oh, wait! One of the village kids asked me a favor. He lost a book in this meadow... Will you look for it with me?"

Reikku nodded. "Yeah."

"Thank you. It'll be a big help." After a few more minutes of rummaging around in the grass, Reikku recovered the volume.

"Got it!"

"Thank you! Now we can go back to Topple."

---

Kari didn't think she'd ever been so relieved to catch sight of the town. The appearance of Julius had spooked her badly, and she still wasn't quite sure what she was going to do about it. Maybe Bogard would have some ideas...

"Thank you for taking me so far," she told Reikku. "Well, then..."

He nodded. "Yeah." Then he took off into the village.

"If that boy had survived, he'd probably be about his age..." she mused to herself, then shook her head. "Enough, enough! I told myself I wouldn't be controlled by my past."

Kari returned her friend's book and spoke to some of the villagers, exchanging goodbyes and preparing to sever her ties with the only place she felt safe in since her own home had been destroyed. However, she became distracted again when one of the village men told her that the boy, Reikku, had seemed unusually interested in Bogard.

"So he WAS with the Realm..." she muttered to herself as she sprinted back to the cottage. "I'd better get back there fast!"

---

Kari threw the door open to see that Reikku was standing in the middle of the cottage. Bogard wasn't in sight--immediately her worst suspicions rose in the pit of her stomach.

"So you ARE one of the Realm's Heretic Hunters!" she cried, whipping out her staff.

"Heretic Hunter!" Reikku yelped indignantly. "With the Realm! Wait a minute! What're you talking about!"

"What have you done with Sir Bogard!" Kari demanded.

"I haven't done anything!" Reikku protested.

"You're lying!" Kari spun her staff and dealt Reikku two blows, knocking him to the ground.

"Ow! Ow! Ow!"

"Why don't you draw your sword!" Kari raged. "Just like you did when you destroyed my village!"

"Hold on! You've got it all wrong!" Reikku snapped. "My only enemy is Dark Lord! And if you're one of his minions, I WILL draw my sword!"

"Me!" Kari demanded. "Work for Dark Lord! Get real! Dark Lord is the sworn enemy of my people..."

Reikku stood up. "Okay, so neither of us works for Dark Lord. Let's calm down or we won't get anywhere."

Kari put her staff away. "So you hate Granz Realm too?"

Reikku shrugged and held out a scrap of parchment to Kari. "Um, here... It's a letter I found. It must be for you."

Kari took it from him. "Huh? Is it a letter from Sir Bogard?" She took the parchment and called up her guardian spirit with her free hand.

Upon the appearance of the little light sprite, Reikku's eyes got huge. "Wha--!"

"Heya! I'm Wisp, a light spirit! Recovery from attacks and such is my specialty. How d'ya do?" it proclaimed cheerily.

"That's an... elemental spirit, isn't it...?" Reikku asked tentatively. "Can you actually use spirit magic?" A burst of light surrounded his body, and the pain from the staff blows vanished with the Wisp.

"You've never seen a spirit before?" Kari asked him. "They won't appear to bad people. So I guess you're... probably not too bad."

Reikku shrugged. "So... this may mean that I can use spirit magic too. Oh! I forgot the letter! I didn't know it was for you when I read it... sorry about that."

Kari scanned the parchment quickly. Bogard had said he was going to Wendel. "Just as I thought. It is Bogard's handwriting! He's alright! That's good... I'm going to have to visit Wendel."

Reikku folded his arms. "If you're going to Wendel, would you mind if I tagged along?"

"How come?"

"There's a sage in Wendel by the name of Cibba..." Reikku began.

"Yes, I've heard of him," Kari interrupted. "Are you going to see him?"

Reikku nodded. "Yeah. There's something I need to ask him."

Kari considered the strange young man. "...Alright, then. Let's go to Wendel together." She smacked a fist into her palm. "Hey, that reminds me... the master of Vinquette Hall sealed the cave to Wendel! First, let's head east toward Vinquette Hall."

The two of them left into a star-studded night, pursuing their adventures united.

---

Julius opened the door cautiously. "Hello...? You in there?"

Dark Lord, who was flopped on his bed, sat up as the mage entered. "What took you?" he asked critically.

Julius shrugged. "I'm sorry. I was a bit far away... I had to get within teleporting range, and that took time. What did you need me for?"

Dark Lord shook his head. "Never mind. You didn't show up in time anyway. If you must know, it was another bigot demanding that I change my mind and outlaw homosexual relationships. I needed backup. Since you didn't show up, I had to get Marley to help."

At this, Julius looked extremely amused. "Well, really. If I had been there, it would have been extremely awkward, considering. How'd things turn out?"

The black-clad man shrugged one shoulder, smiling wryly. "The protestor is currently in jail, having a little time out to cool off. Marley's suggestion. I just might have decided to remove one of his fingers for calling me a faggot, otherwise."

Julius shook his head. "Then it's probably a very good thing I wasn't there. I do believe I might have lost my head and accidentally killed the poor fool if I had been."

"I hate stupid people," Dark Lord complained simply, collapsing back onto his bed. "Why can they never see that I'm not about to change my mind on that?"

"Because they're idiots," Julius replied just as simply. "And anyway, I do have some good news. Do you remember ten years ago... the girl at the village who got away?"

Dark Lord made a vague sound of acquiescence.

"Well, I think I've found her."

Genuinely interested now, the teal-haired young man stood up. "Really? Do tell."

Julius smiled. "I ran into her around Topple. Apparently Bogard's been hiding her all this time. As far as I know she's going to be heading towards Wendel next--we can move to intercept her there. And besides... there are a few leads I have yet to investigate. She may not be the one, after all."

Dark Lord's face grew stern. "This is going to need to take a lot of planning and debating. Even among the Heretic Hunters there are those who don't exactly agree with the persecution of that damned Mana cult. There will be a lot of protestors if we propose hunting down a teenage girl. And then we're going to need a way to protect her once she's here... too many people around here like pretty young women."

Julius grimaced. "A story some of us know a little too well."

"Not to mention, one of the slaves managed to get away today," Dark Lord said exhaustedly, undoing the buckled clasp of his mask, setting the slitted plate on a bedside table, and putting one gloved hand to his temple. "Talk about headaches. We're not sure if he's even alive, let alone where he's gotten to."

Julius winced in sympathy. "Oooh. Bad for morale."

"And guess which one it was? The consul's son, the one who was trying to escape with that girl ten years ago in the first place."

Julius pulled a face. "Very bad for morale."

There was an expression of deep vulnerability on Dark Lord's face as he met his partner's eyes. "I'm tired, Julius," he said softly. "So tired. I'm not sure how much more of this godsdamned pressure I can take without cracking. And you're the only one I can tell it to."

"You need an evening off," Julius recommended. "Just do what you want for a change. You've been working yourself to the bone lately, and you honestly need some time to rest. I'm not surprised that you're feeling a little overwhelmed." He walked forward and put his arms around his friend's waist, leaning his head against the anxiety-tight chest and listening to the power of the heartbeat. "You can't do everything by yourself, you know... you shouldn't have to."

"I'm just so tired..." Dark Lord said bleakly into the soft robe-padded shoulder, head bowed.

Julius pulled away and undid the buttons on his partner's trenchcoat, slipping the garment off the slumped shoulders. "You need rest," he scolded. "Get to bed. Sleep. Look at you. It's as if you've spent every night of your life awake and staring at the ceiling. I am not taking no as an answer out of you. Can you manage to take your clothes off on your own, or must I strip you?"

The teal-haired man waved a hand listlessly. "No, don't bother." He yanked off his boots, gloves, and shirt, then turned down the bed's linens and collapsed heavily into it.

Julius hovered nearby. "One more thing... would you mind if I stayed here with you tonight?"

A very slight shake of the head was his only answer; after that Dark Lord was out cold. Julius watched him for a few moments, pulled a few strands of hair out of the sleeping man's face, then headed over to the other side of the bed, stripped off his robes, turned down the lights, and got in beside him.

"Goodnight," he said softly, then closed his eyes, curling close.

(TBC)